Mazzoccoli, Despite Frustrations, Seeks Re-election To House

NEWINGTON — State Rep. Dominic M. Mazzoccoli's first term had its frustrating moments.

``There are frustrations built into the system. I'm speaking of the political process,'' Mazzoccoli, R- Newington, said.

For instance, he said, the 55 freshmen legislators in the House -- both Democrats and Republicans -- wanted to form a caucus this past year to see how they could ease gridlock. But their effort was thwarted by the leadership, Mazzoccoli said.

Mazzoccoli, 42, is seeking re- election to the 27th House District, which covers about two-thirds of Newington. The Republican Party, in a special meeting on Thursday, endorsed him as its candidate.

``All in all, I was able to accomplish a lot,'' Mazzoccoli said. ``I think there was a lot more we could have accomplished.''

Mazzoccoli's most high-profile moment came toward the end of the legislature's second session.

Partly in response to the bizarre circumstances surrounding the arrest of Hamden Superintendent of Schools David Shaw, Mazzoccoli introduced a bill to prohibit police from revealing the possessions of people who are arrested if the items are not relevant to the crime. Shaw was arrested in Wethersfield on drunken-driving charges and it was later reported he was wearing women's clothing at the time of the arrest. Mazzoccoli's bill passed overwhelmingly.

``It was very much like what was going on with the O.J. Simpson case,'' Mazzoccoli said. ``It's our job to be sure that people have reasonable and adequate access to records.'' However, certain items that are not pertinent to the case should be protected under the law, he said.

Mazzoccoli was a three-term mayor in Newington. It appears one of his opponents will be Democrat Diane Matta, with whom he served on the council. Matta has announced her desire to run for the House seat to the Democratic town committee. The committee will vote on her candidacy later this month.

Democratic Town Chairman Frank Aieta said Matta should receive the nod. Matta had little to say about her possible opponent's first term.

``He didn't do a bad job, he didn't do a good job,'' she said. ``He didn't do much of anything.''

She said she and Mazzoccoli had a good relationship on the council and she expects that to continue.

``I don't expect this to be any kind of difficult campaign as far as personalities go,'' she said.